A Dragtastic Duel!

Image Source: Wikipedia

A program that has recently piqued my interest is RuPaul’s Drag Race. A reality TV show that began its run in 2009, it showcases a handful of specially picked drag queens and their fight for the crown and a chance at fame and fortune. The thirteenth season is currently airing and is hosted by the infamous RuPaul, an American drag superstar who has grown extremely popular through his work on the show and in the drag community. 

I normally don’t watch reality TV shows because they tend to be fake and annoyingly dramatic, with absolutely no substance and all flare. However, this is not the case for Drag Race. Each and every queen is full of style and a story of their own, with something new and unique to bring to the table each and every season. The ideas for competitions are fresh and fierce no matter the theme, and each scene is filmed with precision in order to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. There are many squabbles between contestants as one would expect during a competition. That being said, each one is resolved face to face and these men handle their issues like the adults they are. 

Another thing that is appealing to audiences is that this show shines a light on the LGBTQ+ community. There is a lot of confusion surrounding the art of drag and how that might define a person’s sexuality or identity. Even I had trouble understanding before I started watching the show, simply because this type of expression has only recently begun to be accepted by society. But this show truly has taught me the true beauty and talent that goes into drag, the time and effort these men put into their drag in order to create deep and personal characters, and how genuinely mesmerizing it can be! The way in which each queen holds themselves, no matter how unique their personality is makes me feel confident and courageous, for which I am very thankful. 

I will admit, some of the show can be repetitive and annoying. For example, there are a lot of catchphrases that never change and are not clever or entertaining at all. The same goes for the music and the fact that a good quarter of the show is just “previously on” sequences from earlier in the show. However, it is a reality show, and those aspects usually come with the genre. But the good it has done for the drag community and the entertainment it provides truly does outshine any complaints. I highly recommend this show to anyone who has ever felt like an odd duck or wants to feel more comfortable in their skin.